Lightning kills man in Teton Wilderness

A lightning strike has left one man dead and another injured in the Teton Wilderness.
During afternoon thundershowers that developed Tuesday, lightning struck a group of backpackers camped at Enos Lake in the Teton Wilderness.
One person, a 22-year-old male, died in the incident, while another, an adult male, sustained major injuries. The lightning bolt reportedly hit the backpackers at camp. The men were part of a group of 14 adults on an organized wilderness trip.
Teton County Search & Rescue was notified about 6:25 pm and mobilized a response with the interagency helicopter from Teton Helitack. The chopper flew three SAR volunteers to the site on Tuesday evening. CPR had been in progress for more than an hour when the ship landed with the SAR team members, but the patient could not be revived.
The injured patient was transferred to an ambulance in Moran, taken to St. John’s Health, and then flown to Eastern Idaho Medical Center. The helicopter returned to the scene for a second flight and transported the deceased patient to the Teton County Coroner at Jackson Hole Airport
Two remaining SAR volunteers stayed overnight to provide support to the other members of the party.Wednesday morning two more members of the backpacking group were transported from the scene due to injuries and stress. The remaining members of the party hiked out.
No names are being released until families are notified.
There have been nine lightening caused fatalities around the United States in 2022, so far.
The US Forest Service warns that there is no safe place outdoors during lightning strike. More than half of all lightning victims are struck during recreational activities.
 
 

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